Speaking of changing the lyrics for the most recent version Sir Bob said: “The worst thing I can think of is not being able to comfort or touch your child who is dying so I changed it to ‘where to comfort is to fear and where there’s death in every tear’ because this thing is spread by body liquids.

“If you wipe a child’s eyes, there’s a 60% chance you might get it.”

The singer also hopes to recreate the success of this year’s Ice Bucket Challenge – that saw millions raised for motor neurone charities after people threw buckets of icy water over themselves – with a similar stunt called Band Aid Challenge.

In it, people are being asked to belt out Bono’s “Tonight we’re reaching out and touching you” line, and nominate three friends to do likewise.

Geldof added: “I’ve got a bunch of celebs lined-up who are going to do it.”

The Band Aid 30 creator visited the Daily Mirror offices in London on Friday to make the announcement.

He asked the public to go out and buy the single on CD to raise more money for the Ebola crisis in Africa.